Skills to Save Lives CPR Classes CPR First-Aid Heartsavers Certification
Learn first-aid training before you need it!
It's as easy as ABCD – Airway, Breathing, Compression and Defibrillator.
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Know Your A-B-C-D's
A Hands-On Educational Approach
A Hands-On Educational Approach
ABCDs of First Aid – Airway, Breathing, Compression and Defibrillator.
Airway
Monitor and maintain an open airway at all times. The provider must decide if the benefit of adding an advanced airway outweighs the risk of pausing CPR. If the individual’s chest is rising without using an advanced airway, continue giving CPR without pausing. Ho
ABCDs of First Aid – Airway, Breathing, Compression and Defibrillator.
Airway
Monitor and maintain an open airway at all times. The provider must decide if the benefit of adding an advanced airway outweighs the risk of pausing CPR. If the individual’s chest is rising without using an advanced airway, continue giving CPR without pausing. However, if you are in a hospital or near trained professionals who can efficiently insert and use the airway, consider pausing CPR.
Breathing
In cardiac arrest, administer 100% oxygen. Keep blood O2 saturation (sats) greater than or equal to 94 percent as measured by a pulse oximeter. Use quantitative waveform capnography when possible. The normal partial pressure of CO2 is between 35 to 40 mmHg. High-quality CPR should produce a ETCO2 between 10 to 20 mmHg. If the ETCO2 reading is less than 10 mmHg after 20 minutes of CPR for an intubated individual, then you may consider stopping resuscitation attempts.
Compression
CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) – if an adult is unconscious and not breathing, make sure they are flat on their back and then place the heel of one hand in the centre of their chest and your other hand on top. Press down firmly and smoothly (compressing to one third of their chest depth) 30 times. Give two breaths. To get the breath in, tilt their head back gently by lifting their chin. Pinch their nostrils closed, place your open mouth firmly over their open mouth and blow firmly into their mouth. Keep going with the 30 compressions and two breaths at the speed of approximately five repeats in two minutes until you hand over to the ambulance officers or another trained person, or until the person you are resuscitating responds. The method for CPR for children under eight and babies is very similar and you can learn these skills in a CPR course.
Defibrillator
For unconscious adults who are not breathing, apply an automated external defibrillator (AED) if one is available. They are available in many public places, clubs and organisations. An AED is a machine that delivers an electrical shock to cancel any irregular heart beat (arrhythmia), in an effort get the normal heart beating to re-establish itself. The devices are very simple to operate. Just follow the instructions and pictures on the machine, and on the package of the pads, as well as the voice prompts. If the person responds to defibrillation, turn them onto their side and tilt their head to maintain their airway. Some AEDs may not be suitable for children.
A Hands-On Educational Approach
A Hands-On Educational Approach
A Hands-On Educational Approach
Our experienced instructors are committed to teaching CPR and first aid training. We offer classes at our comfortable, convenient location, and we're willing to travel to teach large groups.
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